Category Archives: Nepal

Kumari – The living Goddess

Posted on June 26, 2012 | 15 comments

I had this post sitting in my draft box for a while but the article I read in the dailymail online inspired me to finish and post it. Please click here if you want to read it too.

The word kumari literally means virgin in Nepali. Kumari is the only living Goddess in the world worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The Living Goddesses are young pre-pubescent girls that are considered to be incarnations of the Hindu goddess of power, Kali and Goddess Taleju.

History behind Kumari

For over 300 years now, it is believed that the spirit of the goddess Taleju has been residing in a succession of pre-pubescent virgin girls in this way, and the future of the country has balanced precariously on their pleasure. With a frown they have held back the rains; a single tear from their eye has resulted in floods. An ancient ruler ofNepalis even said to have died after the reigning Kumari fell asleep during an audience with him.

There are 10 Kumaris in Nepal but I have seen the ones from Kathmadu and Patan only. The Kumari from Kathmandu is considered the Royal Kumari and follows a bit different rules than the rest of the Kumaris. The Royal Kumari resides in Kumari Ghar in Kathmadu Durbar Square while the rest of the Kumaries live at home with their parents and family, and go to school as any other normal girl. They have certain ritual duties that they have to perform regularly, but otherwise live a pretty normal life.

Kumari Ghar

How Kumari is chosen?

Young Buddhist girls from, Kathmandu’s Newar community, Shakya or Bajracharya are chosen as “living goddesses”.  Normally it is a privilege to have your daughter contest in this selection process.

These are some features a young girl should have to consider to be chosen as Kumari .

  • Virgin with an unblemished body
  • Body of the Banyan tree
  • Eyebrows like the cow
  • Black straight hair
  • White teeth without any gaps
  • Dark eyes
  • Mona Lisa like smile
  • Sonorous crystal clear voice
  • Long slender arms
  • Delicate and soft hands and feet
  • Thighs like those of a deer
  • Neck like a conch-shell
  • Tongue – small and moist
  • Sexual organs small and well-recessed.

Above all, she should possess 32 lachchins (characteristics). She must have a sense of courage and should not fear a masked man or an animal sacrifice and she must never have lost a drop of blood. Her horoscope must match that of the king (it was so in the past, may be the President’s horoscope is considered now).

During the eighth day of Dashain, called Kal-ratri, the selection process of Kumari begins. The would be Kumari is left in a room with 108 decapitated buffalos laid out in a sea of blood with men wearing horrid masks dancing among them. This is to test the fearlessness of the girl. If the child gets scared and cries, she will be disqualified and the next girl has to go though the process until they find a girl who can smile in that surrounding and enjoy the dance of the masks men.

The Kumari Festival

Every September, during the Indra Jatra festival, the living goddess in all her bejewelled splendor is borne in a palanquin in a religious procession through parts of Kathmandu. It is a grand festivel attended by people in the thousands, who come to see the living goddess and seek her blessings. In keeping with an old tradition, the Kumari also used to bless the King but now she bless the president and prime minister of the country.

Controversy regarding Kumari

Critics say that the tradition violates the child’s human rights and leaves her unprepared for life after retirement.

Here is a documentary by ABC Australia on Kumari.

I’ll let you decide what you want to believe in but for people of Nepal, Kumari is still a Goddess who they respect and bow to. Kumari is the faith of Nepal and they still believe that she is an incarnations of the Hindu goddess of power.

Today, in the name of modernity, some members of the human rights groups along with the government are proposing that the Kumari tradition be abolished for good. Personally, I think Nepal should learn how to make its culture rich and safe instead of abolishing it, because it is centuries long tradition and this need to be kept alive for the future generation so they can learn and know more about it. Seeing the European countries spending millions to preserve their history and culture, it will be sad to see this tradition stopped.

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Posted in Nepal, Newari Culture

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Nwaran and Pasni

Posted on May 22, 2012 | 21 comments

As you must have noticed by now, Nepali people have lots of celebrations and functions. When a baby is born there are many celebrations as well.

The first ceremony is called Nwaran (analogous to baptism ceremony). It is also known as Machabu Byakegu in Newari. It takes place on the 11th day. This ceremony is performed to give a birth name to a child according to his/her lunar horoscope, this is usually not the name by which he/she will be known. This ceremony is normally small and celebrated amongst close family.

Then there is Pasni ceremony which is also known as rice feeding ceremony or Weaning Ceremony. This ceremony is also called Annaprashan which in Sanskrit term, literally means grain initiation. It is the first time the baby is fed solid food. It is called Macha Junko in Newari.

Pasni is normally held after 6 months from birth for a baby is boy while if it is a baby girl, it is held after the fifth or seventh month. The day and time will be fixed after consulting a priest/astrologer.

As I have attended a few Pasnis lately, I am sharing the photos and procedure of Pasni here.

The ceremony begins at home. On the morning of Pasni, the baby will be showered and wrapped in a towel for the ceremony to begin. The Fufu (Babies dad’s sister) of the baby will hold the baby during this ceremony. Normally Fufu and other women in the family wear red sari.

Special Pasni dress

kalli

The place where the ceremony is to be held is cleaned and all the required ritual puja plate and food are arranged. Then the elder lady of the family will start the puja with the help of the priest. The first step is to put tika on the forehead of the baby, then the baby is given a special outfit, usually made of red velvet and embroidered with silver and golden threads. Gold and silver ornaments are also given to the baby, like heavy silver anklets (kalli) carved with dragon at both the ends to keep the bad omens away from the baby as well as gold bracelet.

Once it is handed over, the baby is dressed in this special outfit and the ornaments and further ritual starts. First the baby is given dubo ko mala (a garland of holy grass). Then it is followed by puja and symbolic feeding of kheer (rice pudding) or the first bite of solid food. The baby is then offered all kinds of foods to taste from Thaa bu (a plate which has eggs, yogurt, wine, fruits, Roti, meat, fish) .

Thaa Bu

Baby will be also offered a tray of stuffs like books symbolising learning, jewels symbolising wealth, a pen symbolising wisdom, clay symbolising property, food items symbolising a love for food (There can be anything symbolising a career. A friend of mine had stethoscope symbolising a doctor) and it is believed that depending on what the baby pickes, it will determine his/her future career. Family and friends have a great time cheering the little one while he makes his choice.

Baby trying to pick a object during pasni ceremony

There are lots of food and gifts given to the child from his/her mother’s family. It will also include Sagun. Sagun typically consists of a boiled egg, smoked fish, a bara (pan-fried black lentil patties), haku chhoila (smoked buffalo meat) and aila (wine) and ends with dhau (yogurt). Also all the family and relatives bless the baby with gifts or money. It’s a beautiful and elaborate ritual.

Sagun

After that maternal uncle (mum’s brother) carries the baby to the nearest temple so the baby can get blessing from the gods. In front of the temple, the baby is fed with some Prasad (offerings) and this will conclude the ceremony.

It is an occasion for celebration, and family and friends are invited to attend. These days Pasni ceremonies in Kathmandu are very lavish and are held in party function rooms much like a wedding ceremony. The guests, numbering in their hundreds bring gifts for the child and party late into the night.

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Posted in Nepal, Nepali Culture

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Dangi Update

Posted on May 17, 2012 | 1 comment

Dangi tries out his new golf clubs

Dangi got a brilliant present this morning – his own custom built golf clubs from golfclubs.com.au.

He was quick to give them a go, commentating to everyone on how he went with each shot and grinning away especially once he got the driver in his hands and smacked it down the long Nova corridor!

Team Joel chat to Dangi, the world’s shortest man

Team Joel’s Laura Bunting, Lakyn Heperi, Sarah De Bono, Prinnie Stevens, and Ben Hazelwood put Nova’s ‘Dangi Fever’ t-shirts on and chat to the man himself – Chandra Bahadur Dangi.

Using Sid Lama to translate, Dangi told them all about his village, the music he enjoys (folk music), and his recent visit up Centrepoint Tower.

He had them laughing when he referred to Sydney as a “very nice village”, and quickly shook his head when Lakyn asked him if he had any tattoos.

But his best line came when they asked what he had done this morning. He replied he “got up, brushed his teeth, and took a shit”! That’s our Dangi!

Dangi signing autographs

Chandra Bahadur Dangi is the world’s shortest man and the boys from Universal Music, are big ‘Dangi Fever’ sufferers, so wanted to get the t-shirt signed. They said it was going straight to the pool room!

Dangi goes up Centrepoint Tower

The world’s shortest man Chandra Bahadur Dangi, his nephew Dolakh Dangi, friend Sid Llama and Wippa all went to the Centrepoint Tower on Wednesday.

There was a 4D movie (fourth dimension is the feeling of movement) and so Dangi wacked the glasses on to get the full experience of animals flying at his head! Seeing he had no electricity in his house in Nepal, we think that was a pretty amazing experience for him.

We had a really clear day so Dangi got to see those amazing Sydney views. He had never even seen a skyscraper before he came to Australia so going up an observation tower was another new experience for the 72-year-old.

World’s shortest man Dangi goes to Bondi Beach

It was the first time the 72-year-old from Nepal had ever been to a beach, and Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo was there to say hi (or make sure he was OK!)

Dangi’s here for ‘Five Days of Dangi Fever’ with Fitzy and Wippa which finishes with a big live show from Opera Bar on Friday morning.

Dangi sees fish for first time at Sydney Aquarium

On Tuesday, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, with his nephew Dolakh and friend Sid Llama visited the Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour.

Dangi has lived his 72-year life entirely in Kalimati, a remote village in Nepal, so it really was an amazing experience for him.

Dangi in Sunrise morning show

News, photos and video courtesy of http://www.novafm.com.au

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More update on Dangi

Posted on May 15, 2012 | 3 comments

Dangi settles into his Sydney hotel room

Fitzy and Wippa picked Dangi, the world’s shortest man, up from the airport then took him to his hotel.After a big grin for the boys, Dangi then settled back onto his king size bed that will be his home for the next five days as Fitzy and Wippa show him around Sydney.
At 72 years, Dangi is the world’s shortest man, and speaks no English. He had never left his remote village in Nepal until he was discovered as the world’s shortest man in February this year.

Dangi’s first interview with Fitzy and Wippa at Nova

Dangi, the world’s shortest man at 54.6cm, arrived in Sydney Sunday night to a hero’s reception from more than 100 fans, and Monday morning he came into the Nova studio for his first interview live on air.

Dangi’s nephew Dolakh helped him up into a special seat in the studio, and Sid Lama was translating.

It was a special feeling as Dangi told the boys about his remote village in Nepal, the 11 people who live in his small house and what life has been like since he was discovered as the world’s shortest man in February this year

Dangi’s first day out in Sydney

After arriving on Sunday night, Dangi got his first taste of Sydney on Monday, with tour guides Fitzy and Wippa by his side.

Dangi’s morning started at the Nova FM studio for his first live radio interview with Nova breakfast hosts Fitzy and Wippa.

Then it was on to the iconic Sydney Harbour, where there was a huge contingent of media waiting to speak to him and take his photo.

Next was Wild Life Sydney at Darling Harbour, where Dangi (along with nephew Dolakh and friend Sid Lama) got up close to a possum, koalas, kangaroos and even a snake which didn’t please him much! He also had a chat with Melissa Doyle from Channel 7’s Sunrise, so look out for that tomorrow morning.

Dangi gets up close to Australian animals

Dangi spent his first day in Australia getting to know our unique animals at Wild Life Sydney in Darling Harbour.

He wasn’t too sure about the possum but seemed to be keen to pat the koala and kangaroos.

Once he was through all his media commitments that is!

News, photos and video courtesy of http://www.novafm.com.au

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DANGI touched down in Sydney

Posted on May 14, 2012 | 4 comments

I am so glad that Australia has got behind, Chandra Bahadur Dangi from Nepal, the worlds shortest man, with the help of Nova FM.

He arrived in Australia about 7pm on Sunday 13 May 2012 to a hero’s welcome.

More than 100 fans cheered, sang and snapped photos as he was carried through the Sydney international airport on the back of his nephew Dolakh Dangi and flanked by his Australian tour guides Nova FM breakfast hosts Fitzy and Wippa.

The 72-year-old from a remote village in Nepal had never left his village until he was discovered as the worlds shortest man in February this year. With his new found fame, Dangi said he wanted to travel to spread the word of his country and village.

Fitzy and Wippa, RJs from Nova FM said they never thought he would actually come when they decided to invite him to Australia via his friend Sid Lama. They were dressed in a traditional Australian bushman outfit and Emma Woodward, Sydneys tallest woman at 194 cm and a second very tall woman were there with a Tall People Love Dangi sign.

They couldn’t wipe the smile from their faces as Dangi high fived fans as he was carried through the arrival Gate D wearing a traditional Nepali Topi with two Nova badges on it. As people caught the first glimpse of him there were cries of Dangi! and comments like “He’s so cute.” Dangi seemed a bit overwhelmed by his new found superstar status. However, the content expression on his face gave the impression that he would soon get used to it.

Wippa greeted Dangi, who doesn’t speak any English, with a white scarf known as a Khata and said Namaste meaning hello, and swagatam meaning welcome in Nepali. Dangi posed for photos, giving the camera a double thumbs up and posing in a big group photo with all the so-called Dangi Fever sufferers.

Nova had organized Dangi badges, balloons, stickers, t-shirts and 54.6cm rulers for Dangi fans, while many had made their own signs and had gifts for Dangi, including Kyle Merry who gave him a fishing rod.

Fitzy and Wippa then took Dangi, his nephew, and Mr Lama to their hotel where they were going to organize room service and have a cup of tea before bed.

Dangi will be a part of five days of activities around Sydney with Fitzy and Wippa, finishing with a live broadcast from the Sydney Opera Bar on Friday morning, where more Dangi fans will have a chance to get up close to the little legend from Nepal.

News, photos and video courtesy of http://www.novafm.com.au

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